Roland Sands Design (RSD) and Bell Helmets have collaborated on what has to be hundreds of helmets over the years. The pair just seem to click when it comes to style and performance. Both Bell and RSD are steeped in racing and providing top-quality head protection with a cool spin to boot is exactly what both brands are after every time they create a new helmet graphic.

The latest to come from Bell and RSD in the three decades working together is the John Player Special (JPS) line in both the Race Start DLX Flex and Bullitt Carbon. After all, the best styles stand the test of the time – for Roland Sands’ latest helmet collection, he has gone back to the 70s to pull inspiration for today. As a former racer himself, Roland’s appreciation and eye for the timeless paint schemes and styles of past racing teams is unmatched. With nearly 30 years of partnership with Bell since his 250GP racing days, Roland is one of Bell’s most celebrated collaborators.

Using the iconic John Player Special colors of black and gold that graced the Formula 1 cars driven by racing legends such as Mario Andretti, Aryton Senna, and Nigel Mansell, Roland has created must-have helmet graphics in two of Bell’s most popular helmet models – the Race Star DLX Flex and Bullitt Carbon.

To commemorate the release of the collection, Bell enlisted the help of a Sonoma-based car collector that owns the original JPS Lotus 77, a car driven by Mario Andretti during the 1976 Formula 1 season. The owner, a racer himself, took the car on track and ran side by side with one of RSD’s Super Hooligan Indian motorcycles. The prominence of the car made this shoot all the more special and the opportunity to drive the car on the legendary road course, which has hosted major auto and motorcycle racing events for more than 50 years.

The collection of two helmets pays homage to the JPS cars that once dominated Gran Prix racing in the late ’60s and ’70s. Best known for beautiful, yet incredibly formidable black and gold liveries, the JPS color schemes are arguably still some of the most memorable of that era. Both helmets feature black and gold details along with Roland Sands Design branding that accentuate the material and construction details of the Race Star DLX Flex and Bullitt Carbon such as the exposed carbon shells.

The Race Star DLX Flex Player has all the features you love from the Race Star such as ProTint, Flex and a 3k carbon shell with the all-new RSD Player graphic. A checkered flag pattern adorns the sides of the helmet while gold Roland Sands Design lettering, RSD branding and gold knockout Bell logos complete the look of the helmet. Its matte black shell is understated, yet classy and nearly looks like a replica of the Lotus 77 when paired next to each other.

A Bullitt Carbon rounds out the collection and is as equally stunning as its Race Star counterpart. The lightweight carbon shell is perfect for riders that want the best looking and performing helmet possible for their naked performance bike, modern classic or all-original café racer. The sides of the helmet showcase the carbon weave found on the Bullitt, while the chinbar features gold and gloss black accents. Gold shield pods and RSD branding round out this killer helmet which comes with a leather Bell helmet bag and optional dark smoke shield.

FYI, quantities are limited so you don’t want to miss your chance to add these future classics to your Bell collection.